San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1887-09-09

ell them AFTERWARDS, Wien l learned that
Hilda Farquhar was hating me with a bitter
jealousy because had gained the favor Of
the uncle she had neglected and the heart
Of the man she loved.
When they were gone, learned the mean
ing OF Mr.. GascOigne's Impotence. Craw-
ford Garden was expected. On this evening"
Of all others, felt that could not face his
crafty eyes, that could not listen TO his
compliments, which were becoming more
free and more familiar each week, and more
OdiOuS
tried to shut out his voice and his pres
ence by resOrting 10 my old refuge, the
piano. played my fayorite pieces, sang
any song that came uppermOst. From one
air passed quickly to another, so that he
should have no time TO pause in his detec-
tive's talk and bestOw on me his hateful
praises. | sang Bonnie Prince Charlie"
and THE Clang of the Wooden ShOOn,"
THE Lost Chord" and Ruby" and gradu-
ally drifted away from the long dim room
and ceased TO hear the jargOn keptup at the
little table in the distant bay, where the
light of the sunset came haZily through the
lOzenge panes, growing paler and fainter.
By-and-by began TO sing song heard
Gilbert sing a.night or two before at NOrbury.
had gone TO quiet garden-party with
Annis and, after tennis on the lawn, there
had been some music in the drawing-room.
Gilbert had clear pleasant voice, and he
chose this ballad, a sad little story Of two
lovers who met by a garden wall. and then
one was false, or perhaps died, and the
other was left to wander there alone, hear
ing
"a whisper mocking DER and DER,
Whate'cr may be, where'er thou art
Dear love, love thee evermore,'"
and haunted with the refrain as 1t haunted
only whisper. whisper.
Tender and soft, loving and sweet,
Only whisper, whisper,
From hearts that may nevermore meet"
As | ceased, l was awakened roughly
from my reverie. The twilight had deepen
ed, and Mr.. Garden had left Mr. GascOigne
and stood by my side.
81 shall remember that song, that sweet
whisper" he said. "lf the end were happy,
as 1t should have been, would ask you to
think Of me when you sing it,"
mo-" said, starting up. Then | added
quietly, you are the last person should
think of, Mr.. Garden. There is nothing
sweet in your whispers"
did not hear his answer. could stay in
the room no longer; and, without even ask
ing Mr.. GascOigne's permission, 1 left it.
1t was fine warm night, and the stars
were coming out in the cloudless sky. put
light wrap over my head, and stole away
from the Grange down 10 the lake. Ii was
the first time had gone to meet Gilbert
secretly; but had promised, il possible, to
see him, and tell him the result of the con-
fesSiOn had intended to make to his uncle.
l recOllect every sound heard, the scents
with which the warm still air was heavy,
the sharp shrill cry of the bats that darted
to and fro amid the dark trees, and the hum
of the flying beetles that drOned past me. A
cricket chirped from the grass, and in the
distance sounded the ghOstly boot of the
waking owl. The lake lay still and shad
Owy, the stars of heaven twinkling on its
breast, and all was very lonely and quiet
and eerie among the great gloomy trees and
by the dark water.
But, when | got to the lichen and ivy
grown wall, Gilbert was waiting there.
Possibly he was disappointed had nothing
to tell him, and was half frightened at this
secret meeting; but we were together, and
that consciousness was too sweet to let an
other thought intrude.
81 must not stay moment" said. 81
only came to let you know this, and Mr..
GaScOigne must not miss me-"
| had stumbled and hesitated a little over
the explanation, for could not tell him |
had run away from his partner, Mr.. Craw-
ford Garden. | was bound TO respect Mr..
GaScOigne's secrets, even though | hated
them with all my heart, while lived be-
meath his roof and in his service.
We stood by the wall for few minutes,
and he told me again the old story could
not weary of hearing, nor he of telling
And, as we parted, he claimed and took his
first kiss, under the blue sky and the gleam-
ing stars, But the same moment started
back from him.
what was that" said fearfully.
''rhere was no sound, my pet, except that
melancholy old owl and the graSShOppers.
Are you so timd, Viola? Why need we care,
when tomorrow everybody may knOwT'
81 thought heard Il step-a whisperw
1.-THE whisper of the trees, dear, telling
you how love yOu-perhaps the footsteps
of the fairies, who have come to listen"
And, as l went quickly back to the Grange,
it seemed to me as if there were fairies in
the wood singing his words to Inc, and the
refrain of song. 1t rang in my ears; the
air seemed full of it.
"WhHIe'cr may he, where'er thou art,
Dear love love thee evermore"
The next morning message was brought
to me from Mr.. GascOigne-
"Mr. GascOigne wishes to see you at once,
Miss Thorne."
1t was very rare thing for him to want
me in the morning, and wondered, as l
mounted the wide stairs, whether had veX-
ed him by leaving the room on the previous
night, and whether it would be well to tell
him all now
To my surprise, l found Mr.. Gascoigne
not alone. Beside his chair stood Hilda
Farquhar, erect and tall. Behind her the
morning sunlight slanted in through the
long side-windOws and lighted up her pale
yellow hair, the curve of her perfect face,
and the light blue dress that matched the
clear cold blue of her eyes-the blue of a
spring sky swept by the pitiless east wind.
She raised those eyeS-and there came in
TO them sudden CLEAN of tire-and glanced
at me as | entered the room. Then she
looked straight before her at the old piano
and the dark pictures on the paneled wall.
Her mouth was set in firm hard line, her
expression was proud and unyielding, and
her hands, over which fell deep ruffies Of
the lace that here and there enriched her
gown were pressed little tightly in their
careless clasp.
And near her sat Lady Martin POmerOy,
her elbow resting on the table and her hand
shading her eyes. She neither looked nor
moved when | entered.
Kindly shut the door, Miss ThOrne;
wish to speak to you. viii you sit down in
that chair?'
Mr.. GascOigne indicated a seat opposite to